Tree Planting 




REPORT OF THE 
TREE PLANTING COMMITTEE 



OF 



The Civic Improvement League 
of Saint Louis 



!9°5 



Office 
7 1 2 Security Building 



Gift 
The Society 

,CS* 

St. Louis, November, 1905. 
TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD: 

Your Committee, appointed to encourage the planting, culture, 
and preservation of shade trees in St. Louis, issues this pamphlet in 
connection with the $500.00 Tree Planting Prize Contest which has 
been inaugurated by the League among the school children of the 
city. We are firmly convinced that what is for the permanent good 
of the city can and should be introduced into the public schools. We 
hope that the information herein contained may assist the pupils and 
the citizens in their efforts to add to the comfort, beauty, and attrac- 
tiveness of our streets and homes. We believe the planting of a 
tree is a true expression of altruism. It not only benefits the present 
generation but adds to the comfort and pleasure of generations yet 
to come. 

If the efforts of your committee and the liberalty of a patriotic 
citizen in supplying the funds for the work can be supplemented by 
the establishment of the office of City Forester, as provided for by 
the bill recently introduced into the Municipal Assembly through our 
efforts, the beauty and comfort of our well paved streets will be 
greatly improved. Respectfully submitted, 

TREE PLANTING COMMITTEE, 

Mayo FeslER, Secretary. Dr. Seeden Spencer, Chairman. 

Charles Rebstock, 
W. J. Stevens, 
H. C. Irish, 
Leo C. Dziatzko, 
W. Scott Hancock, 
H. N. Spencer, Jr. 

>' \F; A. Weber, 

"•'<£ M. Holeerty, 



Tree Planting in St. Louis 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

OF THE 

TREE PLANTING COMMITTEES 

OF 

The Civic Improvement League 

and the 

Englemann Botanical Club 



November, 1905 



To the St. Louis Public : 

The Tree Planting committees of the Civic Improvement League 
and the Englemann Botanical Club, desirous of arousing a greater 
interest in the planting of shade trees in St. Louis, offer the follow- 
ing suggestions relative to the planting, culture, and protection of 
trees, in the hope that they will be of assistance to our citizens in 
their efforts to improve and beautify the streets of this city. 

I. WHY PLANT TREES: 

1. They increase the value of surrounding property. 

2. They protect the pavement from the heat of the sun. 

3. They add beauty and comfort to the city streets. 

4. They cool the air in summer and radiate warmth in winter. 

6. They purify the air — the leaves inhale carbonic acid gas 
and exhale oxygen. 

7. They aid in counteracting the unnatural conditions of city 
life. 

II. WHAT TREES TO PLANT : 

Trees for general street planting should be nursery grown. 
Those transplanted from the forest have a poorly developed root 



system and hence do not grow so readily or so symmetrically. 
Nursery grown trees have well developed and compact root sys- 
tems and symmetrical tops, and they are accustomed to trans- 
planting. Trees grown in the vicinity of St. Louis will be 
found better adapted to the local conditions. 

III. KIND OF TREKS TO PLANT : 

Only a few kinds of trees will grow in this city owing to the 
gas, dust, smoke, and pavement. In general only smooth leaved 
trees should be planted. The American Elm, one of the most 
graceful of shade trees, is so uncertain of growth that it is a 
waste of money to plant it except in the extreme outlying dis- 
tricts. 

The following list contains the kinds of trees which the Com- 
mittees recommend as the most durable and satisfactory : 

1. Maple, Silver Leaved or Soft (Acer dasycarpum.) A 
hardy, rapid growing tree, of large size, valuable for producing 
a quick shade. An excellent tree for street planting and largely 
used in resident sections west of Grand avenue. 

2. Maple, Sugar or Hard, (Acer saccharinum.) A very 
popular American tree, justly ranked among the best, both for 
lawn and street, because of its stately form and fine foliage. 
Since this tree is of slow growth it should be alternated with 
Carolina Poplars or European Cottonwood, which will produce 
shade until the Maple has had an opportunity to develop, after 
which the Poplar should be cut out. Recommended for subdi- 
visions where no previous planting has been done. 

3. Sycamore, or Plane (Platanus.) A lofty, wide spreading 
tree, large leaved, very ornamental, and entirely hardy. The 
most valuable tree for the more densely populated sections of 
our large cities — especially adapted to resist the ill effects of 
coal smoke and gases. 

4. Elm, American (Ulmus americana.) The noble, droop- 
ing, spreading tree of our woods, one of the most dignified 
and stately street trees in America; but in St. Louis the Elm 
suffers not only from the smoke and gas but from various dis- 
eases and insects. 



5. Birch, White (Betula alba.) A small beautiful and grace- 
ful tree with tremulous shining leaves and chalk-white bark. 
This tree requires a rather moist soil and is recommended only 
for the lower outlying sections of the city. It is a tree ex- 
tremely difficult to transplant, especially in any of the larger 
sizes. Only the lighter grades should be planted, and these in 
districts where the tree will have plenty of time to develop. An 
avenue of American Birches with their graceful bending 
branches and white trunks produces a most pleasing effect. 

6. Poplar, Carolina (Populus monilifera.) A vigorous, 
healthy, native tree of rapid growth, pyramidal in form, with 
large glassy leaves. Unfortunately this tree is not long lived, 
but is valuable as a filler between sugar maples or other slow 
growing trees where it is expected to furnish only a temporary 
shade. 

7. Poplar, Lombardy (Populus nigra pyramidalis.) A tall 
columnar tree which grows to a great height. Adapted to nar- 
row streets and streets where houses are near the building line. 
Can be kept from growing too tall by careful annual pruning. 

8. European Cottonwood (Populus nigra; often called Pop- 
ulus graeca or Grecian Poplar.) A tree with almost the iden- 
tical foliage of the Lombardy Poplar, but with a more spreading 
habit than the Carolina Poplar and somewhat longer lived. An 
avenue of Grecian poplars, carefully trimmed, makes a very sat- 
isfactory shade for a number of years. 

9. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris.) A desirable tree for street 
and boulevard planting. A deep rooted and permanent tree 
when once established; practically free from insect pests. Re- 
quires careful planting, the best of attention for the first year, 
and severe pruning thereafter. When planting Oaks, they 
should be alternated with some faster growing tree, perferably 
Poplars. 

IV. UNIFORMITY IN TREES : 

The beauty of a tree avenue depends much upon the planting 
of a uniform species the full length, or at least for several 
blocks of the avenue. Trees of different shapes and sizes give 
to a street a ragged, irregular, and unsightly appearance. The 



Committee urge the residents along any given street to meet 
and agree upon one kind of tree to be planted the full length 
of that street. Uniformity, without rigidity, in tree planting, 
will add much to the beauty and comfort of the street and home, 
and will greatly enhance the value of abutting property. 

V. WHEN TO PLANT : 

Trees may be planted in the spring or fall — preferably in the 
spring before the buds open. In this climate the best season for 
planting is found to be from the latter part of March until the 
middle of May, when the ground is fairly dry and capable of 
being easily worked. 

VI. DISTANCE TO PLANT : 

The space which should be left between trees when planted 
varies somewhat with the different kinds. In general, trees 
should be planted about tzventy-Uve feet apart. The following 
suggestions, however, are made relative to the distance apart 
for the different kinds of trees discussed in this report : 

1. Silver or soft maple — 25 to 30 feet apart. 

2. Sugar or hard maple (alternated with poplars) — 15 to 18 
feet apart. 

3. Sycamore — 25 to 30 feet apart. 

4. American elm (alternated with poplars) — 15 to 18 feet 
apart. 

5. White birch— 16 to 20 feet apart. 

6. Carolina poplar — 18 to 20 feet apart. 

7. European Cottonwood — 18 to 20 feet apart. 

8. Lombardy poplar — 16 to 18 feet apart. 

0. Pin Oak (alternated with Poplar) — 15 to 18 feet apart. 

VII. PROTECTION OF TREES : 

1. Tree guards. Every tree at the time of planting should 
be enclosed to the height of six feet in a suitable tree guard. A 
screen made of galvanized wire netting of a small mesh is an 
inexpensive but entirely effective device for protecting the tree 
against horses and also against many insects. Unless these pre- 
cautions are taken to protect the tree it is hardly worth while 
to plant. 



2. Insects and Fungi. The protection of trees from insects 
and fungi requires constant care and watchfulness. The first 
sign of danger should be followed by spraying with some rec- 
mended tree wash or solution, as follows : 

(a) For the trunk: % lb. whale oil soap in one gallon of 
water. 

(b) For leaves being eaten by insects : % lb. Paris green 
or Arsenate of lead in fifty gallons of water. 

(c) For fungi: 6 lbs. Copper sulphate and 4 lbs. lime in 
fifty gallons water. 

VIII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Further information regarding the planting of trees will be 
gladly furnished by the Committee of the League or by the Sec- 
retary of the Engelmann Botanical Club. Address Mr. S. H. 
Thompson, Secretary Engelmann Botanical Club, Shaw's Gar- 
den, or Mr. Mayo Fesler, Secretary Civic Improvement League, 
712 Security Building, St. Louis. 



The City Forester Ordinance 

(Copy of an Ordinance, creating the office of City Forester, recently introduced 
in the Municipal Assembly of St. Louis at the request of the Civic 
Improvement League.) 

An ordinance creating the office of City Forester, defining the 
qualification and duties of City Forester, fixing his salary, and au- 
thorizing and providing for the appointment of an assistant and 
other subordinates in the City Forester's office, fixing their salaries, 
defining their duties, regulating the planting and preservation of 
trees in streets, alleys, and public highways, creating certain mis- 
demeanors for violating the provisions hereof and prescribing penal- 
ties therefor. 

Be it ordained by the Municipal Assembly of the City of St. 
Louis, as follows : 

Skction I. There is hereby created in the Street Department 
the office of City Forester. 

Section II. The City Forester shall be appointed by the Mayor 
and approved by the Council. He shall hold office for four years 
and until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. 
No appointment shall take effect under this ordinance until the first 
Tuesday in April, 1906, and the term of office of the first appointee 
as City Forester shall terminate the third Tuesday in April, 1907. 

Section III. The City Forester shall be a man skilled and 
learned in the science of Forestry and shall have had not less than 
three years experience as a practical forester. 

Section IV. It shall be the duty of the City Forester to super- 
intend, regulate, and encourage the planting, culture, and preserva- 
tion of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in the streets, 
alleys and public highways of said city ; to direct the time and method 
of trimming of said trees and shrubbery; to advise the property 
owners regarding the kind of trees and shrubbery and method of 
planting deemed desirable on particular streets ; and to take such 
measures as may be deemed necessary for the control of dangerously 
injurious insect pests and plant diseases which may affect trees 



and shrubbery on the streets, alleys, and public highways of said 
city. He shall act in harmony with and under the direction of the 
Street Commissioner in relation to the planting, culture, removal 
and preservation of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in 
the streets, alleys, and public highways of said city. He shall report 
to the City Attorney all cases which come to his knowledge of viola- 
tions of ordinances respecting said trees and shrubbery; and shall, 
when requested by the City Attorney, assist in the prosecution of 
persons charged with the violation of such ordinances. 

Section V. The City Forester shall keep a record of all the 
transactions of his office and shall, whenever the Street Commissioner 
may require, make a full and detailed report concerning said trans- 
actions. 

Section VI. The salary of the City Forester shall be at the rate 
of twenty-four hundred dollars per year, payable in monthly install- 
ments, in full for all services. He shall give bond in the sum of five 
thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duties, with not 
less than two good sureties, holders of unencumbered real estate in 
the city or any surety company, which bond shall be approved by 
the Mayor and Council. 

Section VII. The Street Commissioner may, by and with the 
approval of the Mayor, appoint the following subordinates who 
shall hold their respective positions during the pleasure of the Street 
Commissioner and who shall aid in carrying out the duties herein 
specified and such other duties as pertain to their respective positions, 
and such as may be required of them by the Street Commissioner; 
and they shall each receive the following salaries and give the follow- 
ing bonds, to-wit : 

Assistant City Forester, who shall have had at least one year's 
practical experience as a Forester and shall receive a salary of 
$125.00 per month, and shall give a good and sufficient bond, to be 
approved by the Mayor and Council, in the sum of $2,500.00 ; one 
clerk, who shall receive a salary of $75.00 per month ; and three day 
inspectors, who shall receive $2.50 per day. In addition to the offi- 
cers herein specified, the Street Commissioner shall, by and with the 
approval of the Mayor, employ such teams, carts, and day laborers 
as may be required for the sufficient working of his department. 



Section VIII. It shall be lawful for the property holders on 
any three or more contiguous blocks of any street, or a majority of 
them, to select by petition any variety of shade tree, approved by 
the City Forester, which shall thereafter be the only kind of shade 
tree to be planted on said blocks. 

Section IX. If the property holders along any given street, 
upon due notice so to do from the City Forester shall fail to make 
the selection provided for by Section Eight hereof, within six 
months next after notice has been given, then it shall be the duty 
of the City Forester to select a variety of shade tree for such street 
or blocks of such street which shall thereafter be the only variety 
which shall be planted on said street or blocks of said street. 

Section X. Whoever shall, without written permit from the 
City Forester, plant or set, pull up, cut down, burn, destroy, remove, 
trim, or in any manner injure any tree or shrub standing in any 
street, alley, or public highway, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. 

Section XL Whoever shall without written permit from the 
City Forester, hereafter place any stone, cement, or other substance 
about any tree in any street, alley, or public highway which shall im- 
pede the free entrance of water and air to the roots of such tree, 
without leaving an open space of ground about the trunk of said 
tree of not less than four square feet, shall be guilty of a misde- 
meanor; provided that this section shall not apply to work done by 
the city or under contract with the city on any street, alley, or public 
highway. 

Section XII. Whoever shall prevent, delay, or in any way in- 
terfere with the City Forester or his employes in the planting, trim- 
ming, spraying or removal of any tree in any street, alley, or public 
highway, or in the removal of any stone, cement, or other material 
from about the trunk of any such tree, shall be guilty of a misde- 
meanor. 

Section XIII. Whoever shall violate any of the provisions of 
this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon 
conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than five nor more than fifty 
dollars : and it is hereby made the special duty of the police to en- 






force the provisions of sections 10, 11, and 12 of this ordinance; 
and, with that in view the Board of Police Commissioners are re- 
quested to deliver a copy of this ordinance to every police officer in 
their department. 

Section XIV. The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply 
to trees or shrubbery planted on private property. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



000 880 538 6 



